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Elk horn succulent

About Elk horn succulent

Plants in the Kalanchoe genus are native to Madagascar and tropical Africa. They range from rubbery green leaves, to leopard print, and some are even fuzzy! The word Kalanchoe comes from the Cantonese name for these plants, pronounced Ka-lun-koh-ee in English. Their succulent leaves help store water during droughts, so they'll be just fine if you skip a watering or two (it happens!).

Taxonomy

Scientific name

Kalanchoe 'Medusa'

Genus

Kalanchoe

Family

Crassulaceae

Order

Saxifragales

How to care for Elk horn succulent

💦 Water

How often to water your Elk horn succulent

Elk horn succulent needs 0.5 cups of water every 12 when it doesn’t get direct sunlight and is potted in a 5" pot.

Use our water calculator to personalize watering recommendations to your environment or download Greg for more advanced recommendations for all of your plants.

Water 0.5 cups every
12

Does your plant get direct sunlight?

No Yes

Select the pot size

☀️ Light

Finding light for Elk horn succulent in your home

Elk horn succulent love being close to bright, sunny windows 😎.

Place it less than 1ft from a south-facing window to maximize the potential for growth.

Elk horn succulent does not tolerate low-light 🚫.

Select your region to see how the current weather in your area affects the placement of Elk horn succulent in your home 🏡.

🪴 Nutrients

How to fertilize Elk horn succulent

Nutrient, fertilizer, and repotting needs for Elk horn succulent: repot after 2X growth

Most potting soils come with ample nutrients which plants use to produce new growth.

By the time your plant has depleted the nutrients in its soil it’s likely grown enough to need a larger pot anyway.

To replenish this plant's nutrients, repot your Elk horn succulent after it doubles in size or once a year—whichever comes first.

Browse #Kalanchoe

💡 FAQs

💦 Water Needs

Elk horn succulent thrives in dry soil and should be watered sparingly. Use our water calculator to personalize watering recommendations to your environment or download Greg for more advanced recommendations for all of your plants.

Elk horn succulent Water Frequency →

Elk horn succulent Root Rot →

☀️ Sunlight Needs

Elk horn succulent requires abundant, bright and direct light. Place it less than one foot from a window to ensure it receives enough light to survive 💪. Select your region to see how the current weather in your area affects the placement in your home 🏡.

Elk horn succulent Light Requirements →

Elk horn succulent Direct Sunlight Needs & Tolerance →

🐶 🐈 👶 Toxicity

Elk horn succulent is extremely dangerous if consumed. If you, a family member, or a pet has ingested any amount of plant material contact Poison Control, US (800) 222-1222, or your veterinarian immediately. Elk horn succulent is not recommended for homes with children, cats, or dogs.

Is Elk horn succulent Edible? →

Elk horn succulent Toxicity to Cats →

Elk horn succulent Toxicity to Dogs →

Elk horn succulent Toxicity to Humans →

💨 Humidity

Elk horn succulent prefers dry environments. Providing extra humidity or misting your plant allows water to linger on leaves, which can create the perfect environment for harmful types of fungi.

Elk horn succulent Humidity Needs →

🪴 Soil

Elk horn succulent is very sensitive to wet soil, so choose a potting soil that drains very well and doesn’t retain too much moisture. A good soil will have lots of perlite or vermiculite for drainage and some organic matter for nutrition. A few handfuls of perlite added to regular store-bought cactus soil will do the trick!

Best Soil Mix for Elk horn succulent →

Best Pots for Elk horn succulent →

When and How to Successfully Repot Elk horn succulent →

What Are Healthy Elk horn succulent Roots →

💩 Fertilizer

Elk horn succulent should be repotted after it doubles in size or once a year, whichever comes first. Fresh potting soil has all the nutrients your plant needs, so as long as it’s refreshed yearly, you shouldn’t need to use fertilizer. Remember, plants get their energy from sunlight, not fertilizer!

How Much and When to Fertilize Elk horn succulent →

❄️ Dormancy

It’s common for Elk horn succulent to go dormant in the summertime and you may notice their growth slow down. Waterings should be spaced out more during this time.

🌎 Native Region

Elk horn succulent is native to Madagascar and Tropical Africa.

🌦️ Growing Outdoors

USDA Hardiness Zone
Elk horn succulent can be grown outdoors in USDA Hardiness Zones 9a-11b. Find your local hardiness zone here.

Elk horn succulent Temperature Tolerance →

Elk horn succulent Hardiness Zones →

Landscaping Ideas with Elk horn succulent →

When to Plant Elk horn succulent →

How to Plant Elk horn succulent →

Where to Plant Elk horn succulent →

Winter Care for Elk horn succulent →

Best Companion Plants for Elk horn succulent →

Is Elk horn succulent a Weed? →

🧐 Troubleshooting

When troubleshooting a sad-looking houseplant, start by checking for signs of distress in its leaves, such as yellowing, browning, or drooping, which can indicate overwatering or nutrient deficiencies.

Inspect the soil moisture; too dry or too wet soil can cause problems.

Ensure the plant is getting the right amount of light, as too much or too little can stress it.

Finally, consider environmental factors like temperature and humidity, and adjust care routines accordingly to revive your plant.

Common Bugs Affecting Elk horn succulent →

What Eats Elk horn succulent? →

😖 Common Issues

Overwatering is a likely cause of issues with Elk horn succulent. These plants are very sensitive to wet soil so if you notice your plant becoming squishy or translucent, overwatering is the likely culprit.

Cut your plant just past where the rot ends and allow it to callus over for a few days before replanting it in fresh, dry soil. Download Greg to make sure your plant never gets overwatered again!